New in Wine Country: Natural wine, a tasting experience for dogs and more

by Jess Lander for SF Chronicle

Spring brought a flurry of exciting activity to Wine Country. 

Noted natural wine bar expands 

Oakland’s popular wine bar the Punchdown has opened a second location, carrying about 600 natural wines, at the Barlow in Sebastopol. This is the second natural wine spot to open in Sebastopol this year, bringing Sonoma Wine Country’s total count to three, while Napa Valley has zero. Choose from several flights — such as Orange Adventure, featuring skin contact wines, and Super Natty Mix, for those who like them extra funky — or order by the glass or bottle. The list, which changes a few times a week, showcases producers from Sonoma, France, Italy, Portugal and beyond. Munch on aperitif hour-inspired snacks while you sip, like spiced carrot dip ($10), chicken liver mousse ($16) or one of roughly 30 kinds of tinned fish. 

Wax nostalgic at an adult-friendly arcade

Indulge your inner child at Rewind, which opened at Sebastopol’s Barlow complex with retro and new-age arcade games, including Super Smash Bros. and 13 pinball machines. Grab a pint from the self-pour beer wall, featuring 20 taps, and Asian snacks from a vending machine. Visitors can also order food from Barlow restaurants.

Read her full round up on SFChronicle.com